Social Democrats Split Over Future of Nemuno Aušra in Ruling Coalition

A new poll commissioned by Lithuania’s Social Democratic Party (LSDP) reveals deep divisions among its voters over whether Nemuno Aušra should remain in the governing coalition, public broadcaster LRT reports.

According to the survey by Baltijos Tyrimai, 43% of potential LSDP voters believe the party should continue cooperating with Nemuno Aušra in government, while 41% oppose the idea. The remaining respondents had no opinion.

When expanded to all surveyed participants, only 29% supported maintaining the coalition with Nemuno Aušra, while 49.3% were against it.

The poll also explored alternative coalition scenarios if the partnership with Nemuno Aušra ended. Nearly half of LSDP voters suggested continuing as a minority government with the current Homeland Union partners, while 23% favoured inviting the Democratic Union “For Lithuania” into a majority coalition. Only 10% supported including the Liberal Movement.

Among all party supporters, the Liberal Movement was more favoured as a coalition partner than the Democrats.

When asked if their view of the Social Democrats would change if the coalition with Nemuno Aušra were terminated, 25% of LSDP voters said their opinion would improve, 18% said it would worsen, and 47% expected no change. Responses from other parties’ supporters followed similar patterns.

The survey, conducted between March 19–30, included 1,009 adult Lithuanian residents, with 217 identifying as potential LSDP voters.

LSDP leader Mindaugas Sinkevičius acknowledged the mixed results, noting that while public discourse often assumes the party should expel Nemuno Aušra from the coalition, the data shows no clear consensus. A final decision on the coalition’s future is expected in May.